The top seeds in Group B, the Spanish outfit are bidding to become only the fourth side to lift the trophy three times. Liverpool FC and FC Internazionale Milano currently share that record with UEFA Champions League entrants Juventus, and both face testing autumns after the draw conducted by Atlético striker Falcao and 2012/13 final ambassador Patrick Kluivert.

Liverpool have been placed in Group A with Udinese Calcio, BSC Young Boys and big-spending Russian club FC Anji Makhachkala, whose only previous European campaign in 2001 lasted a solitary game. Internazionale will play FC Rubin Kazan, Serbian title holders FK Partizan and Azerbaijan's first ever group stage contenders Neftçi PFK. There is a positive omen for the Italian team, however: they beat Rubin en route to their 2010 UEFA Champions League triumph.

The group winners and runners-up will progress to the round of 32 in the spring, with the final at the Amsterdam ArenA on 15 June 2013.

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